Good karma: Ewing Jr. is a Knick
If it were April 1, I'd never believe it.
Donnie Walsh proved he has a sense of humor -- and maybe an ability to scrub clean a few stains on history -- when he pulled off a minor trade with some major juice.
Ya gotta be kiddin me.
There are no guarantees that Junior will make this team. Right now he's No. 16 out of 15 spots but as Donnie said in the statement that Ewing will "have an opportunity here to compete for a spot on our roster." That -- and the good karma that comes with this move -- should be enough to make this a well-received move.
We've been talking about Ewing, Jr. here in Fixer Nation since May. I've said from the beginning he's the type of guy that fits best with the Knicks because he brings more than just basketball. He'll be great for the crowd, a terrific energy guy who knows exactly what the Garden experience is all about. He literally grew up in the place and has no problem waving towels and diving for loose balls.
And who knows, he's not big at barely 6-8 in sneakers and 225-pounds, but he has a tremendous vertical and a freakish 7-foot wingspan. He's not a bad shooter but doesn't have great range. Still, in a pinch he can give you maybe what you expected out of Balkman, but he's a far more intelligent player and a little more reliable mentally than my man Rey. (Aw man, crazy). That much we'll have to find out in camp.
Now, regarding the inclusion of Weis in this trade, which had to be only for comedic purposes: I asked around and was told that NBA teams had lifetime rights to a player they draft unless they renounce or trade or sign that player and he becomes a free agent. It's a problem for many European players, apparently. Weis never signed so even though they drafted him almost a decade ago, they still technically maintained his rights. Why the Rockets would want this guys rights is far beyond anything I am interested in hearing on the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
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Comments (19)
I think this is a good move. I always liked Ewing Jrs game. Like I've said before, the kid isn't a Jordan type (nowhere near) but he is a freak athlete and he can def help us where we need the most help at....DEFENSE!!!
Keep doing what your doing Donnie.
I like how your taking your sweet time making moves and nothing has been to major so far.
Great karma Donnie and I'm sure Ewing would really love to come back home now. I personally would welcome him with open arms.
Obama was magnificent last night.
I have no idea what Mccain is doing picking that lady from Alaska but he just put the last nail in his own coffin.
Change in 08!!!!!!!!!!
I am stunned.
Stunned that there's a Ewing on the NYK roster.
And even more stunned that they got him for Freddie Weis.
Finally, Weis does something to help the Knicks.
I hereby applaud the end of the Frederic Weis Era in NY. Now, let's get that kid Ewing's old man on the coaching staff...
Have a great holiday, Alan.
What a perfect two-for-one move. Not big, maybe, but a great way to start the week end.
CHANGE 08' in the Oval Office & THE GARDEN!!
LAUGH OUT LOUD!!!
Nice Job by Donnie to Rid us of the Fredric Worst Curse!
Gotta like his style.
C'mon Ewing Jr. have a great camp and make Big Pat proud.
Bye Bye Jerome the Germ James
No way Ewing doesnt make the team,
Not sure why you think this minor deal is funny. The Knicks traded absolutely nothing for a guy who provides energy, defense, and certainly a strong work ethic, for nothing. At the very least, he is better than Jerome James, and perhaps Mardy Collins too.
Also, there is still a strong possibility that Marbury will get cut, and thus a roster spot would be open for Ewing.
Although a relatively insignificant move, not every trade needs to be for all stars.
I really like this move.
I think it's invaluable to have hard working no nonsense players at the end of your roster and bench. They go a long way toward creating the right atmosphere everyday at practice and during the season.
The fact that the kid is Pat's son is a positive. I haven't been one of the guys clamoring for Patrick's return as a coach for the Knicks but the "good karma" surrounding this trade almost clears the awful stench of the initial drafting of Weiss and moving Ewing Sr. in the ill fated Glen Rice trade.
I wish Jr the best - I hope he works extremely hard and carves out a career off the Knicks bench. I think he can surpass what Balkman brought - if only thru a more solid work ethic and a smarter style of play.
I hope Donnie still has a move up his sleave.
I really think Eddy should be the one to go instead of Zach but Zach does clog up that 4-spot. I just don't trust Eddy - I don't trust his heart, his on court intelligence or his ability to stay healthy long term and sure as hell don't trust his defence and rebounding ability. I'd love to trade Eddy for Darko and Lowry... that would make me a happy camper.
The knicks should try to pursue that trade for Memphis if ther are really intereste in Randolf. I''ll take the Iranian Center Ahmad E. and Lowry for Randolf & Malik Rose. The Knicks really need some young players we could build around. Follow-up on this Mr. Walsh. We'll thank you for this. Go Knicks.
I made a lot of type 'o's there - sorry about that, but I still hope the Knicks will look into this possible trade. There is a young prospect Center in Ahmad E. from Iran and Lowry. I'll trade Zak R. and somebody else to make this happen.
I like this move too, I hope he makes the team just to hear the garden go BANANAS.
Can we draft Mark Jackson's kid yet? :-)
I just hope Waltoni give Pat Ewing Jr. and Anthony Roberson a fair chance at making the roster and don't waive them because they owe money to some drug addicted loser like Jetbury.
I read on Page 6 that Crackbury bought himself his own jet. Hopefully he flies to the Bermuda Triangle and we never hear or see him ever again.
Wow Segio thats some heavy stuff there..
I love this move because it makes us younger and more salary flexible. This is a guy you can keep and go ahead and release JJ and atleast the roster spot will go to a guy with upside and not on a downswing.
Keeping 2010 alive
with some garden memories and a little bulljive
The feel good story of the month! I say Jr. will make the team and help us. If he's not more important than Jerome James, I'll not post another entry. If Pat Jr. does well, this will keep us smiling for years! Go Ewing!!
I love this move both for the symbolism and, more importantly, the substance...
Sometimes those little, or apparently little, things in life make the difference down the road. I'm thinking this might be one of those things that transforms the culture of losing and seemingly not caring experienced in the last several years to a new perspective, a new mentality.
And, yes, "Change in 08!" at Madison Square Garden and in the White House. The time is now.
yes! ... said marv albert, jr.
A brilliant unbelievable move. Like magic, Donnie Walsh cleans this piece of Layden turd that's been lying around for 9 years collecting French dust, and... Wallah! he gets the player he wanted to draft in the 2nd round. We essentially get something for nothing; a kid who hustles, pride in the Ewing name, and a very welcome addition to a fresh new team. Donnie, D'ant... kudos, dudos! Take your time making the team lean and mean. I just know Jerome James will be gone soon, and ZBo too. This move gives me hope... just like Obama! Good luck Junior!!!
With the Power House line up of Yao, Scola, Tmac, Artest,
Ewing Jr would never see PT. Maybe the Rockets felt "sorry" for us with this obvious Gift? We should pay them back to show them we don't want their pity! Lets "GIVE" them James!!!!
We got some real nice young players to watch now, see them improve and get better. (danilo g., ewing jr & chandler).However,
we need two more prospects a (Center Shot Blocker/Rebounder
and a Big power//muscle Forward like 'Dorsey' from the Rockets).
Defense will be the key after they get familiar with Dantoni's system. We just got to get big this time around. Go Knicks !!!
just remember this guy is not Ewing Sr. He was a once in a lifetime. Let's not boo him or we all will look bad in the end. Give the kid a chance